Rumsfeld wouldn’t be my secretary of defense

A: Well, let’s put it this way: He wouldn’t be my secretary of defense. And ultimately, that’s going to be a decision that the president of the United States makes.

Source: 2006 Maryland Senate debate on Meet the Press
, Oct 29, 2006

Terrorism’s tentacles penetrate within US and abroad

Terrorism’s deep tentacles penetrate Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, Steele said. “When you’re looking at Iran, you’re looking at Iraq; when you’re looking at
Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations out there, you have to see them as part of a continuing network -- a network, by the way, that has now advanced its way through our porous borders,” he said.

Source: Clifford Cumber inteview in Frederick News-Post
, Aug 8, 2006

Supports secret biodefense research at Fort Detrick

Steele said he supports classified research at a massive biodefense laboratory the Department of Homeland Security is building at Fort Detrick, and that secret research is something the public will have to live with to preserve national security. “There
are some things that need to be done in secret, in a way that will not expose us to greater harm,” Steele said.

The biodefense lab will research biological threats and analyze forensic evidence following a biological attack.

Source: Clifford Cumber inteview in Frederick News-Post
, Aug 8, 2006

More spending on biodefense

He also said growing national spending on biodefense, including the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center at Fort Detrick with its projected $128 million construction cost, is warranted based on the current need for a high degree of
protection against bioterrorism. “It’s part of a big price tag we have to pay to be proactive in fighting for the common defense,” Mr. Steele said.